Formal and casual can be accomplished in the same room

Published On: Oct 19 2012 10:17:50 AM EDT

For some buyers, for particular areas of a home or business, tile is often the hands-down favorite flooring choice. It can be formal or casual, dressed up or down, dazzlingly decorative or stunningly simple.

For a certain group of buyers, tile is always their choice. Especially in areas where there are hygienic concerns -- kitchens and baths – the homeowner will always choose tile.

There’s no denying the crisp, cool beauty of ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Or the cleanability and easy care make these natural products affordable. Homebuyers are so busy these days, they want a maintenance-free floor. Tile tends to require the least amount of maintenance of the flooring types.

Tile is also no problem to repair. If one breaks, it’s an easy matter to pop it out and replace it. If water spills, even a lot of water -- no problem there, either. If a tile floor is installed and maintained properly, and the grout is a darker color, sealed to repel soil and stains, maintenance is a breeze.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles provide some of the most versatile interior design possibilities, sporting an almost limitless array of sizes, colors, textures, and designs. Most of the materials used in making them are from the earth itself, while stone tile is actually quarried -- so each of these tiles tends to create an immediate natural ambience, a quality of timeless beauty, and a look that’s decidedly upscale.

Like nearly every other category in home fashion -- furniture, fabric, decorative accessories -- flooring has lately felt the impact of the trend toward surfaces that are antique, distressed, and worn. Many ceramic and porcelain products have a vintage look that conveys a sense of history and almost ancient beauty.

Size variations are very big these days and are being seen a lot more now than ever. There’s everything out there from tiny tiles for mosaic applications to large, rather sheet-like squares of ceramic. The larger tiles are very popular right now. "18X18 and 20X20 seem to be the most significant trend.

And yet another important direction has been noted in this popular flooring segment. Recently more tiles are being made of porcelain due to the durability of the product. Consumers are getting wind of the fact and asking for it. Porcelain is also much more affordable than it used to be. Those qualities -- that it’s durable and affordable -- make it a good buy for a consumer!

Porcelain looks like stone but doesn’t have to be sealed to avoid stain and odor absorption, so it’s especially easy to maintain. Another excellent buy for the consumer who’s intrigued by a handsome array of flooring choices that includes the look of rustic stone, slate, travertine, or marble, or who’s elated by the idea of easy upkeep, has every reason to consider ceramic and porcelain tile with enthusiasm.

Information provided by Mercury Carpet & Flooring

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